The 12th WHO Ministerial Conference kicked off in Geneva

The 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is being held in Geneva (Switzerland) on June 12-15.

The event is attended by trade ministers of WTO member states and observer states, as well as heads of international organizations.

On June 12 this year, an opening ceremony and a plenary session were held as part of the program. Current issues of the multilateral trading system, including the fight against the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the waiver of the application of the provisions of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in the production of vaccines against various strains of COVID-19, agricultural development, fisheries optimization of subsidies, reform of WTO activities and other issues were discussed.

In his online speech at the Ministerial Conference, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade S. Umurzakov stressed the important role of the WTO in combating the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, resolving the food crisis, developing agriculture and strengthening the multilateral trade system.

In the framework of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, the absolute priority of Uzbekistan's membership in the WTO as one of the main directions of foreign economic policy was emphasized.

In addition, readiness was expressed to actively promote the process of Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO, including at the 5th meeting of the Working Group of the Organization, which will be held on June 21-22 this year.

The Ministerial Conference also hosted a regular meeting of the heads of delegations of the Informal Group of the WTO (IGAG) at the ministerial level, chaired by Uzbekistan. During the meeting, the sides discussed topical issues of the countries joining the Organization. During the negotiations on accession to the organization, the sides exchanged practical experience and views on solving the main problems and challenges facing the candidate countries.

For information: The Ministerial Conference is the highest body of the WTO. Meetings of the Ministerial Conference shall be held every two years or more in 
accordance with Article 4 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization of 15 April 1994. To date, 11 conferences have been held.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Source:mift.uz